Electrical connector with terminal locking means

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction. The cavity includes a constricted opening leading to a locking shoulder facing in the insertion direction. An elongated terminal is adapted to be inserted into the cavity and has a body portion with a cantilevered locking arm formed out of a side wall of the body portion. The locking arm has a fixed end joined to the side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite the insertion direction. The free end is adapted to engage the locking shoulder. The housing and terminal are constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arm is biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free end thereof engaged with the locking shoulder. The locking arm has a first portion bent inwardly from the fixed end oblique to and opposite the insertion direction. A second portion of the locking arm is bent outwardly from a juncture with the first portion beyond the side wall to the free end of the locking arm.

We claim: 
     
       1. In an electrical connector which includes, a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity with a rear constricted opening joining a front region, said front region having a forwardly facing locking shoulder with an interior corner adjacent the opening, and   a stamped and formed elongated terminal adapted to be slidably inserted into said cavity and having a body with a pair of resiliently opposed rearwardly extending cantilevered locking arms having free ends that are normally spaced apart a distance that is greater than a given width of the opening,   whereby, when said terminal is inserted into said cavity, said locking arms are compressed toward each other, so that the terminal can pass through the opening, and are resiliently returned when reaching the front region to define an inserted position, said free ends of the arms engaging said shoulder to resist a rearward terminal withdrawal force when said terminal is in its inserted position,   wherein the improvement comprises: each locking arm including,   a first portion pivotally extending inwardly into the body, and     a second portion pivotally extending from a juncture with said first portion outwardly from said body,   the junctures of both arms being normally spaced apart,   whereby, when a rearward withdrawal force is applied to the terminal in its inserted position, said junctures move inwardly toward each other until they touch while the free ends move outwardly from the body forcing the free ends into the interior corner of said locking shoulder and allowing a larger force to be applied without causing buckling of the arms.   
     
     
       2. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking arms include reinforcing ribs formed integral therewith and extending lengthwise thereof. 
     
     
       3. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein distal ends of the locking arms at the free ends thereof are chamfered and adapted to engage said locking shoulders and bias the free ends laterally outwardly in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal. 
     
     
       4. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said terminal is a female terminal with a receptacle at a mating end thereof, said body forming the receptacle. 
     
     
       5. In an electrical connector which includes a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction, the cavity including a constricted opening leading to locking shoulders facing in said direction, and   a stamped elongated terminal adapted to be inserted into said cavity and having a body portion with cantilevered locking arms formed out of opposite side walls of the body portion, the locking arms each having a fixed end joined to the respective side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite said insertion direction and adapted to engage the respective locking shoulder,   the housing and terminal being constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arms are biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free ends thereof engaged with the locking shoulders,   wherein the improvement comprises: said locking arms each having a first portion projecting inwardly from the respective fixed end oblique to and opposite said insertion direction, and a second portion projecting outwardly from a juncture with the first portion beyond the respective side wall to said free end of the locking arm, the junctures between the first and second portions of the locking arms opposing each other and adapted to abut each other in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal opposite said insertion direction.     
     
     
       6. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein each said locking arm includes a first bend at the fixed end thereof and a second bend at the juncture between said first and second portions thereof. 
     
     
       7. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein each said locking arm includes a reinforcing rib formed integral therewith and extending lengthwise thereof. 
     
     
       8. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein a distal end of each the locking arm at said free end thereof is chamfered and is adapted to engage the respective locking shoulder and bias the free end laterally outwardly in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal opposite said insertion direction. 
     
     
       9. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein a distal end of each locking arm at said free end thereof is chamfered and is adapted to engage the respective locking shoulder and bias the free end laterally outwardly in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal opposite said insertion direction. 
     
     
       10. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein said terminal is a female terminal with a receptacle at a mating end thereof, said side walls forming a part of the receptacle. 
     
     
       11. In an electrical connector which includes a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction, the cavity including a constricted opening leading to a locking shoulder facing in said direction, and   a stamped elongated terminal adapted to be inserted into said cavity and having a body portion with a cantilevered locking arm formed out of a side wall of the body portion, the locking arm having a fixed end joined to the side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite said insertion direction and adapted to engage said locking shoulder,   the housing and terminal being constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arm is biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free end thereof engaged with the locking shoulder,   wherein the improvement comprises: said locking arm having a first portion projecting inwardly from said fixed end oblique to and opposite said insertion direction, and a second portion projecting outwardly from a juncture with the first portion beyond said side wall to said free end of the locking arm,   said locking arm further including a first bend at the fixed end thereof, a second bend at the juncture between said first and second portions thereof, and a reinforcing rib formed integral therewith and extending lengthwise thereof,   wherein a portion of a terminal wall adjacent said sidewall is stamped to form an abutment wall extending perpendicularly from the terminal wall adjacent the sidewall to abut said juncture in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal opposite said insertion direction.